Dream over for Ghana, as Fodjour flops again

Ghana’s dreams of at least picking two medals at the 2012 Paralympics Games ended on a disappointing note, after medal prospect Anita Fodjour picked the seventh position in the Women 200 Meters T53 Category at the Olympic Stadium in London on Thursday evening.

Fodjour, who was highly tipped to make a medal from the competition, could only manage 34.31 seconds in the finals, to place seventh in a race won by defending champion Huang Lisha of China with a time of 29.18 seconds.

Lisha was followed by Australia’s Angela Ballard who made a time of 29.35 seconds, to win the silver medal, with Zhou Hongzhuan of China picking the bronze medal with a time of 29.40 seconds.

Fodjour, it would be recalled, placed a similar position in the 100 meters T53 finals at the same venue, though it was her best category, she interestingly failed to make the time that even qualified her for the competition.

The 30-year old Ghanaian was the last athlete among the four competitors the nation sent to the games to compete; and her failure thus ended Ghana’s dream of making any impact in the competition viewed as the second biggest multi sports event after the Olympic Games.

Earlier, Alem Mumuni, was unable to complete in the Road Race cycling competition at Brands Hatch, London, due to earlier complaints of chest pains.

Mumuni’s inability to complete in the race was due to complains of chest pains hours before the race, but it was too late for Ghana to have withdrawn from the competition since that will have attracted some fines.

The cyclist had to compete briefly before withdrawing to save the nation from any fines.

The 28 year old, had to battle chicken pox a week before the start of the competition and only started serious training late last week.

Mumuni, also failed to glitter in the C2 Individual Time Trial on Wednesday, as he placed 16th in the 16 man contest.

Ghana made a representation of four athletes in the 2012 Paralympic Games and started the campaign with Rapheal Botsyo Nkegbe who placed eighth in the Men’s 100 Meters T53 race, whilst Charles Teye Narh also placed eighth in the 67kg Powerlifting event.

Bishop Cornelius Adja Cofie, President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) told the GNA Sports that though the performance of the team fell below expectation, he was not disappointed.

He said the athletes did their best under very difficult conditions and was convinced they have learnt very useful lessons.

Bishop Adja Cofie commended the athletes for making a representation for Ghana and added that, efforts will be made to improve upon disable sports in Ghana.